...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 2: Creating a Business Identify 3 challenges when setting up a business. Explain why they are challenges. Since we live in such a technological age, customers can surf the web 24 hours a day and seven days a week, looking for the lowest price available. So, it will be up to the business owner to market a quality and unique product that will spark the interest of customers and will ultimately encourage them to buy. Considering the last few years that our nation has been in a recession, housing and banking loans have been very difficult to obtain, so I’m sure it’s just as difficult to get approved for a business loan. Also, being a new brand or business, banks may also be less inclined to give out credit. So, it will be a huge challenge to the available funds to start a business. Being able to persevere during the rough times, it’s all on you. Being an owner, you will have to be 110% invested mentally and physically, but also be motivated to take on every challenge that may arise. Whether it be uninspired employees to possible a natural disaster damaging your business. The way you handle each obstacle can make or break your business. Define what a “niche” product is. Give at least 3 examples. A niche product is a product made and marketed for use in a small and specialized group. The iPad, BlackBerry Torch and Taylor Made Burner Irons are three examples of a “niche” product. Explain why a niche company might have...
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...Unlike other retailers, Urban Outfitters’ marketing nearly begins and ends with the shopping experience itself. The company does little if any advertising, in print or otherwise. Nearly everything rides on producing a unique experience. Urban Outfitters has been a consistent winner with tight marketing and storefronts that completely set it apart from other retailers. Typically a niche company finds a narrow category in the broader industry where it can outperform larger retailers. Once the consumer is singled out and approached with the right sort of attention, that consumer will respond to the brand. For Urban Outfitters, this meant understanding the psychology of a very specific group of customers and then doing something a big retailer literally could not do: be small and exclusive. But Urban Outfitters did it on a not-so-small scale and without much traditional marketing. From the beginning, Urban Outfitters used location, the shopping experience, and a certain sense of fashion to sell to people who were somewhat counterculture and certainly not looking for conformity. Originally thought of as the “hip” college crowd, the typical Urban Outfitters’ customer is looking for a sense of differentiation. By all indications, this conception was accidental; when Hayne opened his first 400 sq. ft. store, he probably had no illusions of “chipping away” at JC Penney’s or Sears’ market share. All the same, Hayne essentially invented a category, and discovered that his customers...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study: Marketing a business Deborah Riley Dr. John H. Carter BUS100 – Spring/2010 May 30, 2010 Question #1 - Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. In my opinion I don’t think that Wal-mart would be able to create a trendy counterculture because it sales clothes at a lower price. Trendy clothes would not be effective for them because the cost associated with trendy clothes would not be profitable. Wal-mart shoppers are looking for a bargain when they go shopping at their stores. Wal-mart is known for their lowering prices on items in their stores called the Roll Back Price. “Wal-Mart said last week that it is stepping up price cuts, although it wouldn't specify how much it is boosting its typical weekly discounts designed to lure customers.” (Anderson, 2010, para 2). They also buy their merchandise in bulk as oppose to small quantities. While Urban Outfitters buy their merchandise in smaller quantities and there items are priced higher which is why they can create a trendy counterculture. When speaking of Sears they are not on the same line as Wal-mart considering they do not offer their customers price cuts such as roll back prices. But they do buy their merchandise in larger quantities then Urban Outfitters. Sears prices are high when compared to Wal-mart but they offer designer labels that are not offered at Wal-mart. But they also mass produce...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study 4 Marketing a Business Felicia Lee Introduction to Business BUS 100 May 30, 2011 Abstract Marketing is a process which a company draws potential consumers/customers’ interest towards its goods and services. This process involves activities such as research, promotion, selling and distribution. Urban Outfitters, Inc caters to the exclusivity, uniqueness, and distinctiveness of fashion to maintain their customer shopping experience entertaining, while Wal-Mart is considered a big box store. Obtaining an understanding “why” shopping is entertainment and therapeutic to consumers. Explain why Sears or Wal-Mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image? Counterculture is a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm (Oxford Dictionaries, April 2010). A creation of a counterculture by Wal-Mart or Sears might not succeed because of different reasons that play a huge role in the marketing techniques or tactics used by Urban Outfitters, Inc. Urban Outfitters, Inc. utilizes niche marketing and exclusivity as their main marketing technique or tactic while Wal-Mart and Sears are considered as large scale American department stores located throughout the United States. Unlike Wal-Mart and Sears...
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...Identify at least three challenges when setting up a business. Explain why they are challenges. Three challenges a business owner would face when setting up a business are visualizing possible risks, low ambition, and inadequate revenue. Starting a business in itself, is a huge risk. A business owner has to take into account the rewards of a business, but more importantly potential setbacks. The fact that business owners create the mindset that things may not always go the way they plan, will aid them in bouncing back from any setbacks they may incur. If business owners plan on succeeding and not preparing for any hindrances, they will be far less likely to succeed and be able to bounce back from any stumbling blocks. With visualizing risks, you also have to take low ambition into play. If a business owner has any issues with the business, they may start to lack ambition, and it will affect anyone else that is involved with the business. Inadequate revenue stems from business owner basically setting goals based on what they are accustomed to. When you go into business for yourself, you have to realize that you may not make as much as you made before the transition into becoming a business owner. Economic conditions play a major part in this, so you need to make sure you have sufficient fall back money if you are unable to net the income you need in order to maintain your current lifestyle. Define what a “niche” product is. Give at least three examples...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 2: Creating a Business Anna Hall Dean Carol T. Williams Introduction to Business – BUS 100 July 26, 2010 Creating a Business There are many challenges when starting up a business such as lack of funds, finding the right location, and establishing a customer base. Funding a new business can be one of the biggest challenges because most people do not have enough money saved up to start a business especially if they are young and just starting out themselves. Trying to get funding from a financial institution can be very difficult, therefore it is best to figure out how much it is going to cost to start a business. It is always a good idea to have a financial plan before starting a business; otherwise the likelihood of the business being successful is slim. If the business is going to be a retail store, finding the right location is very important. It is important that the store is visible from the street, and that it has easy access from the street for both automobiles and pedestrians. It is also important to look at the amount of traffic in the area that the retail store is being considered. It certainly would not make sense to put a retail store out in the middle of nowhere. Establishing a customer base is very crucial to the success of a business. Without customers a business will not have any sales, and if a business does not have sales it cannot survive. Doing some light advertizing is one way to start getting...
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...out to a potential customer base. If people are unfamiliar and/or unaware of your company and services that you are offering to provide, they can’t contribute to the growth of your business. Creating an attractive, user friendly website is a great way to gain exposure and attract a new customer base. But most of the time, a company needs a sales force to reach out to its customer base so that the customers feel that there is personal interaction and that their business is valued and appreciated. A fourth challenge is determining where the prime real-estate would be for establishing the customer base and allowing for internal growth. (Internal growth referring to physical expansion needed due to growth in revenue.) For example, Urban Outfitters chose to locate close to colleges and this worked to their advantage. In Industrial...
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...URBAN OUTFITTERS CASE STUDY 1 Urban Outfitters Case Study: Marketing a Business Bus105 March 7, 2010 URBAN OUTFITTERS CONTINUING CASE STUDY: 2 Urban Outfitters have created an image and market like no other. Urban outfitters has exceeded the normal niche size companies; they have hundreds of stores worldwide. Explain why Sears and Wal-Mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. In order to have a counterculture image, a company must cater to the culture and lifestyle of those people, especially among the young, who reject or oppose the dominant values and behavior of society. Most stores that have a counterculture image sell exclusive items. Wal-Mart and Sears are huge retail stores; they carry an abundance of each item and cater to everyone. If they became a counterculture image store, they would exclude too many people and risk having to close stores in certain areas. Could the big box stores sell merchandise identical to Urban Outfitters? Explain your answer. It wouldn’t be a wise decision for the big box stores (Wal-Mart, Target, JC Penney’s, etc...), to sell items identical to Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters originally catered to colleges and university students, and they choose store locations near those places. Most of these big box stores adjust to their changing market and are located on or near major highways. Even if...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 4: Marketing a Business Introduction to Business – BUS 100 November 22, 2010 Abstract Urban Outfitters is a continuing case study that describes the basic components of the marketing process (product, promotion, pricing, and distribution). This assignment gives insight into several companies marketing strategies that businesses use to excel in customer service and satisfaction with their product(s) and or services. The study specifically addressed four questions regarding counterculture image, big box stores, exclusivity and the enjoyment of shopping. The study’s hypothesis was that a business must complete an external analysis in order to determine what changes are taking place in their city, county, state, country and around the world that could potentially impact its business? Also, it’s important to find out want and how they make their final purchase decisions. A company must be able to determine their potential, weaknesses, opportunities, and competition. Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. One reason as to why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image is because it would completely go against the general norm. This image normally targets a specific group of people. Wal-mart’s main focus is to help customers save money, which will hopefully result in them living better. Before opening Wal-mart...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study: Marketing a Business Robyn Miller Professor Marietta Lewis Business 100 August 28, 2011 Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study: Marketing a Business 1. Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. Sears or Wal-Mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image because Wal-Mart, for instance, operates on a high volume low profit margin and Sears operates on a high profit margin. The only way this can be done is to have the products mass produced which make it impossible to be either trendy or counterculture. To be trendy counterculture is to be unique when going against other retailers. Sears on the other hand are higher priced but still mass produced items which they think will appeal to the general public. Neither Sears nor Wal-mart can make the changes that would be needed to adopt the image. If they do, they would risk turning off their existing customer base. Lastly, the extensive product selection does not lend itself to the image. Furthermore, the best either of these could do is create a mini-shop, given the current brand image, the trendy image may be a hard sell for "trendy" customers, that may be the target. 2. Could the big box stores sell merchandise identical to Urban Outfitters? Explain your answer. Yes and no. Yes the big box stores can purchase the items that are sold at Urban Outfitters and place the products on the shelves. These stores are trying to modernize...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 5: Managing a Business Dr. Deborah Hill December 15, 2009 As businesses today is about passion and creating new things. The word fun has become a big element in the business strategy of many highly successful businesses. Make fun an important part of your corporate culture to enable relentless innovation and create an inspiring culture. 1. Explain how Urban Outfitters’ management ensures that no two stores are the same. Urban Outfitters ensures that no two stores are the same by knowing what is selling in the retail stores nationwide. In addition, Urban Outfitters has corporate directors which are in charged of what merchandise is brought and sold to the different stores. The store concepts, operations and products are very much integrated. Some stores are duplicated across the nation; Urban Outfitters does not have the same stores due to management and the company policy. John Kyees has stated that upper management is responsible for the mundane bones of the business, such as distribution and call centers, design at the store level. For example, director’s over sight the budgets for the store displayed at corporate level, but managers many of whom are artist and are very intelligent in interior design regarding specific store design. Moreover, in opening up new locations it demands that store managers and product developers are to be in teams to make sure each store is different. Their brand is to be unique even with the...
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...involved in starting a business are finding an idea or ideas, finance or funding, and finding committed people. Finding an idea or ideas for a new business may not be as hard as it sounds or seems. Most of the time, the idea comes from inside you. There is a deep, nagging desire to see something accomplished or provided. This focus may start with a select group of people, as it did with “Urban Outfitters”, who began by targeting college students. Finding financing or funding may prove to be a bit more challenging until you decide to do some serious research. You may find various opportunities to acquire the financing you need through investors from different business industries. There are investors searching for small businesses in which they can invest money, time, and/or resources. Finding committed people who can see your vision for your business, and commit to working hard to meet the mission and goals for the business are valuable assets. These people may be family members, friends, classmates, or someone you met and connected with soon after sharing your vision. Urban Outfitters was started by Richard and Judy Hayne, and Richard’s old college roommate, Scott Belair. Roughly a year after the first store opened, Judy and Richard divorced and went separate ways; Scott Belair graduated from school and left the enterprise for Wall Street (Steve Jobs, 2011). Finding these great people does not mean they will stay with you forever, so choose wisely. Question 2: Define...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 4: Marketing a business Introduction to Business – BUS100001041 Christopher Bell Instructor: Professor McNeil Strayer University December 1, 2010 Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 4: Marketing a business Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. Businesses such as Wal-mart or Sears are built around serving the most products to as many customers possible. Let’s start with Wal-mart. In 2010, Wal-mart served customers more than 200 million times a week at more than 8,600 stores around the world. You may recall hearing several mission statements in the many years of Wal-mart business. In early years Mr. Sam Walton was heard “To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people.” This statement has evolved throughout the years into many slogans, but for most part they continue on with the same concepts. “Help people save money so they live better” and “Always low prices” are two more recent examples. Sears mission statement states “To grow our business by providing quality products and services at great value when and where our customers want them, and by building positive, lasting relationships with our customers.” If we look into the meaning of trendy counterculture the layers of the onion begin to peal back and we can get a better understanding of why these two giants are unable to capture that market. Trendy relates...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study: Marketing a Business Jason A. Knight August 21st, 2011 Professor A. Garabedian 1. Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. Urban Outfitters can be credited for successfully creating a trendy counterculture image. They have been able to do this by targeting specific markets in key areas and locations, offering exclusivity, and promoting a certain lifestyle. Sears and Wal-mart have both established themselves as being highly successful and profitable business chains. However, even though these large chains have established themselves as strong contenders in the retail market Sears and Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. Sears and Wal-mart lack the ability to offer exclusivity and the ability to target specific markets. Both chains are just simply too large. Even though there are Urban Outfitters locations worldwide they still manage to offer a very specific selection of items on a small scale to accommodate the social and socioeconomic demographics of the area in which they are located. You can find a sears or Wal-mart in virtually every state in the U.S. and find the exact same broad range of products. There is really no differentiation, nothing that sets the stores apart. Literally just anyone has the ability to shop in these places and offering such a broad range of products, including groceries, clothing, and electronics attracts a wider range of people...
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...Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Part 4: Marketing a Business 1. Explain why Sears or Wal-Mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. Wal-mart and Sears in large part created the idea and foundation for the thinking of bigger is better. How can they try and cater to the little man or sub-culture when they are the very corporation that killed the little man. The basic principles of a sub-culture are to go against the “norm”, and Wal-mart is one of the largest examples of the corporation normalcy. Therefore, the reasons above would be by answer to why they cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image. 2. Could the big box stores sell merchandise identical to Urban Outfitters? Explain your answer. Of course they do in my opinion! Big box stores always take a look at what the market around them is selling best and most of (the trends), anything from clothing to kid’s toys or apparel or even house hold items. The big box store creates a cheaper, less quality product that they mass produce for less. For example, the latest fad for children even young adults is “silly bandz” (rubber bracelets that pop back to their original shape when you take them off, they have animal shaped ones, Disney themes, etc..). Now you see them everywhere but they are called something slightly different from the original brand and are most likely made of cheaper rubber as well and sell for less. Thus in my opinion how the big box stores cater to the “middle...
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